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When I first wrote this review, I had just finished episode 2. Now that I've completed all 10 episodes, I have a much better picture, and I have to say, it didn't disappoint. I actually really enjoyed it, so I'm updating my review and adding an extra star.

I'm not familiar with the source material and haven't seen the original show, so I came in with no expectations. I enjoy police dramas, but I've grown tired of the ones that follow a rigid formula with no character depth, stand-alone episodes, and barely any ongoing story.

Ballard felt different from the start. The show gradually adds layers that unfold as the story progresses, and by the end, it all comes together nicely. I also really appreciate shows that release all episodes at once, so you can choose your own pace, whether you want to space them out or binge. I ended up watching too many in a row, but that just shows how hooked I was. It's a solid ride.

Maggie Q is excellent in this role. She brings strength and presence, and the character fits her perfectly. The rest of the team also has strong potential, and you can tell there's room to grow with their stories.

One thing I really liked was how the show kept things realistic. Injuries didn't magically disappear, bruises stayed visible, and wounds actually took time to heal. It's a small detail, but it adds a lot of realism, something many shows skip, and it was refreshing to see here.

Overall, I think the story was brought together well across the season, and I really hope it gets renewed. I'll definitely be watching if there's a second season. (hopefully soon)

I've been a huge Mission: Impossible fan since I was a kid. I've watched all the movies and even played the video game. But in my opinion, something has been missing in these last two chapters. The sense of continuity and emotional connection just isn't there anymore. The few action sequences were greatly done as always, but that was it.

As a "last chapter" I was really hoping they'd bring back more of the team from previous films, like Jeremy Renner's character. Instead, we got a villain with no real presence. The Entity is more of a concept than an actual threat, and Gabriel just didn't deliver. He's nowhere near as compelling as Solomon Lane, yet somehow he manages to kill a main character in the first movie, in a scene that made no sense at all.

Ilsa's death seemed to exist mainly to make room for Grace. And while I actually liked Grace as a character, was obvious she was designed to be someone strong but still in need of saving. The chemistry with Ethan wasn't nearly as strong as it was with Ilsa, and overall the character dynamics felt forced rather than natural.

Another issue was how the film revolved almost entirely around Ethan. The teamwork aspect that made earlier films so engaging was sidelined. Even the final action sequence, while well shot, was basically a recycled version of Fallout's ending. Exactly the same! Same objective, different vehicle. Also there were long stretches of exposition with barely any action early on, it felt like we were being told about the stakes instead of shown. The panic and urgency just weren't there.

When the action finally kicks in, it starts to feel more exciting, until it drags again. The scenes go on for too long, and instead of building suspense, they start to feel exhausting. The coffin scene, in particular, was torture to sit through. It could've easily been cut down all these drawn-out moments would have made a big difference.

And I get that action movies play fast and loose with reality, but this one pushed it a bit too far. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindset to watch or maybe I had higher expectations, I don't know. I'd still watch the "next" one if it ever gets made, but hoping it'd bring back the spark of the previous ones.

I really enjoyed the first Old Guard. It had a solid storyline with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Charlize Theron was great as always, and I love seeing her in action roles.

This second movie, though, it wasn't a full film. I only realized it was a middle chapter once the credits rolled. There wasn't much progression in the plot, and it felt a bit flat overall. The action and fight scenes were definitely the highlight, and they were really well done, but the story didn't quite pick up.

The return of a character who was "lost" should have had more emotional weight. Instead, it just happened without much buildup. I was also really looking forward to seeing Uma Thurman in action again, but her role was surprisingly small and underused. Honestly, the plot felt weak, and the movie leaned more on action than storytelling, but maybe that was the point.

That said, I still liked it as an action film. I'll watch the next chapter and fingers crossed it will be better. I just hope we don't have to wait years for it.